Timor-Leste seeks to join ASEAN under Indonesia's chairmanship next year
Jul 20, 2022
Jakarta [Indonesia], July 20: Timor-Leste is hoping to be able to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) when Indonesia becomes the chair of the ASEAN next year, the country's President Jose Ramos-Horta said during his visit to Indonesia on Tuesday.
Ramos-Horta, who was sworn in as the president of Timor-Leste in May for the second time, met Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java Province.
"We hope (Timor-Leste) can join the ASEAN during Indonesia's leadership," Ramos-Horta said during a virtual joint press conference.
Timor-Leste officially applied for membership of the ASEAN in 2011. However, Ramos-Horta said that there are many requirements needed to be fulfilled to become a member.
Ramos-Horta, who is one of Timor-Leste's founding fathers, previously served as the president in the period of 2007 and 2012.
During the meeting, both leaders reached agreement on cooperation in some sectors, including agriculture, trade and cross-border transportation.
Source: Xinhua
